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Module Overview

This module is designed to help prepare the graduating students for their future careers as licensed professional engineers and is directed to students in their upper years of study. This is a longer module consists of six units, covering many important yet related topics. Unit one starts with a brief background on the structure of the Canadian legal system and introduces the structures of the courts in Canada. It also explains the separation of powers between Federal and Provincial governments, as it applies to regulating the engineering profession. In Unit 2, seven most important and dominant business organization structures are introduced and analyzed, explaining the advantages and disadvantages of each business structure as they apply to different engineering practices. Unit 4 presents a detailed review of the Engineering Code of Ethics and the Professional Engineers act, with emphasis on professional misconduct. The principles of Contract law are detailed in Unit 5, analyzing essential elements of a contract, ground for contract impeachment, and discharge of contracts. Finally, an overview of Tort law is presented in Unit 6 and differences between Tort Law and Contract Law are highlighted.

Major Topics:

  • Common Law vs Tort Law
  • The Professional Engineers Act
  • Contract Law
  • Definitions and interpretations of professional status
  • Obligations that accompany the privileges of professional status
  • PEO Disciplinary procedures
  • Case Studies

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module, and through a careful study, students should be able to:

  • Explain the structure of Canadian courts.
  • Differentiate between legislature and common low.
  • Evaluate different business structures as they apply to the engineering profession.
  • Explain the basic legal principles that inform professional law and ethics for engineers.
  • Recall key information from the Professional Engineers Act.
  • Explain the obligations that accompany the privileges of professional status.
  • Apply the principles of contract law and tort law to their work as engineers.
     
PROJECT FILES
Type: Assessments
Title Author Description
Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers - Quiz | Download File (273.7 KB) Dr. Arash Shahi

This formative quiz is part of the module. Students take this quiz as they proceed through the units. You may choose to use this assessment piece in alternate ways.
Type: Glossary
Title Author Description
Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers Glossary | Download File (48.47 KB) Dr. Arash Shahi

This PDF contains an overview of the major terms used in Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers.
Type: Modules
Title Author Description
Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers (SCORM Package) Dr. Arash Shahi

This SCORM package can be uploaded into your institution's Learning Management System.
Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers (Storyline File) Dr. Arash Shahi

This Storyline File can be downloaded and modified to your specific learning objectives (within the bounds of the creative commons licensing selected for this file). This is encouraged, but any technical issues are not supported by the University of Toronto.
Type: Video Links
Title Author Description
Canadian Legal System | Canadian Legal System Dr. Arash Shahi

This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video introduces the Canadian Legal System.
Structure of Ontario Courts | Structure of Ontario Courts Dr. Arash Shahi

This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video explains the Structure of Ontario Courts.
Separation of Powers | Separation of Powers Dr. Arash Shahi

This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video explains the Separation of Powers between provincial legislation and federal legislation.
Delegation of Authority | Delegation of Authority Dr. Arash Shahi

This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video explains the power of the federal and provincial government to delegate authority to other bodies.
Sole Proprietorship and Partnership | Sole Proprietorship and Partnership Dr. Arash Shahi

This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video contains sections on Sole Proprietorship and Partnership.
Corporations, Shareholders and Directors | Corporations, Shareholders and Directors Dr. Arash Shahi

This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video contains sections on Coprorations, Shareholders and Directors.
Charitable and Non-Profit Organizations | Charitable and Non-Profit Organizations Dr. Arash Shahi

This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video contains sections on Charitable and Non-Profit Organizations, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO).
Joint Ventures, Co-operatives and Reflection | Joint Ventures, Co-operatives and Reflection Dr. Arash Shahi

This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video contains sections on Joint Ventures and Co-operatives, and asks students to reflect on what type of business structure would work best for their business opportunity.
Introduction, General Definitions | Introduction, General Definitions Dr. Arash Shahi

This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video provides an Introduction and General Definitions for the unit on Professional Status and the Professional Engineer's Act.
Practice of Professional Engineer, Primary Responsibility and Exceptions | Practice of Professional Engineer, Primary Responsibility and Exceptions Dr. Arash Shahi

This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video contains sections on Practice of Professional Engineers, Primary Responsibility and Exceptions.
Professional Engineer's Act, Functions of PEO | Professional Engineer's Act, Functions of PEO Dr. Arash Shahi

This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video contains sections on the Professional Engineer's Act, and Functions of PEO (Professional Engineers Ontario).
The Engineer's Seal | The Engineer's Seal Dr. Arash Shahi

This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video explains the Engineer's Seal.
EIT, OSPE and The Iron Ring | EIT, OSPE and The Iron Ring Dr. Arash Shahi

This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video contains sections on EIT, OSPE and The Iron Ring.
Code of Ethics | Code of Ethics Dr. Arash Shahi

This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video talks about the professional engineer's Code of Ethics.
Duty to Report | Duty to Report Dr. Arash Shahi

This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video explains an engineer's duty to report situations that an engineer believes may endanger the public.
Legislation | Legislation Dr. Arash Shahi

This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video introduces important sections of the Code of Ethics. It also provides a link for the entire Code of Ethics.
Professional Misconduct | Professional Misconduct Dr. Arash Shahi

This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video contains sections on Professional Misconduct for engineers.
Contracts | Contracts Dr. Arash Shahi

This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video introduces Contracts and Contract Law.
Elements of a Contract | Elements of a Contract Dr. Arash Shahi

This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video explains the Elements of a Contract.
Grounds for Impeaching Contract | Grounds for Impeaching Contract Dr. Arash Shahi

This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video looks at Grounds for Impeaching Contracts.
Jurisdiction and Equitable Estoppel | Jurisdiction and Equitable Estoppel Dr. Arash Shahi

This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video contains sections on Jurisdiction and Equitable Estoppel.
Damages, Contract Interpretation, Bid Shopping and Rigging | Damages, Contract Interpretation, Bid Shopping and Rigging Dr. Arash Shahi

This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video contains sections on Damages, Contract Interpretation, Bid Shopping and Bid Rigging.
Discharge and Breach of Contract | Discharge and Breach of Contract Dr. Arash Shahi

This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video contains sections on Discharge of Contracts and Breach of Contracts.
Tort Definition | Tort Definition Dr. Arash Shahi

This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video introduces Tort Law and provides a definition of a tort.
Intentional vs. Unintentional Torts | Intentional vs. Unintentional Torts Dr. Arash Shahi

This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video explains the differences between Intentional vs. Unintentional Torts.
Principles of Tort Law | Principles of Tort Law Dr. Arash Shahi

This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video lists the three conditions for Principles of Tort Law.
Product Liability | Product Liability Dr. Arash Shahi

This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video contains two Product Liability cases.
Reflection: Professional Status and the Professional Engineer's Act | Reflection: Professional Status and the Professional Engineer's Act Dr. Arash Shahi

This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video is a reflection for the unit on Professional Status and the Professional Engineer's Act.
Back to Parent Project
Ethics for Engineers (English)

This project consists of four learning modules on engineering ethics that will guide a student from ethical conduct at university through to ethical conduct in the profession. These modules could be used for inverted delivery of an ethics course, or for the hybrid delivery of ethics content in a set of courses. We envision these modules partially or fully replacing in-person lectures, and being paired with in-person experiential learning activities such as case study discussions to create an effective, active learning experience.

Project Collaborator(s): Dr. Arash Shahi Lydia Wilkinson
Project Team Members: Sean McAlary Hiba Ali
Details
Used in:
APS160

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